In 2017, a friend suggested we could take students to Paris for the Design Week and M&O. I had just joined UID and spoke to the management about this opportunity. Everyone welcomed the idea and we campaigned to get students enrolled asap. Paper work etc. was completed in record time and with our visas in hand we left for Paris with 3 faculty and 13 students.
On our return the students put up a lovely exhibition of their visit and for three days it was open to public. A short video was also made by them on the trip and Paris Design Week.
I visited the Paris police station twice, once for complaining about a stolen iPhone and the second time to provide a statement, as plain clothes police caught a pick pocket red handed while stealing from our student.
All in all, a very educational trip, the students returned with more than just touristic pictures. They were blown away by the sheer size of M&O, the products, services, presentation and global exposure available at such a trade fair. They learnt to interact, ask question and answer people they met.
I believe there is no better way of learning than going out in the world and being exposed, observing & experiencing the way life is lived.